Plastic surgery recovery and athletic performance enhancement often involve strategies to optimize healing, reduce muscle fatigue, and improve overall outcomes. Among these strategies, full body compression suits have gained considerable attention for their potential benefits. A compression garment is a specialized piece of clothing designed to apply gentle but consistent pressure to a particular body area. This article explores the benefits of full body compression suits, drawing from medical insights and athletic research to provide a comprehensive understanding of their applications.
Understanding Compression Garments
Compression garments are not merely a fashion statement; they are specialized clothing designed to apply gentle but consistent pressure to a particular body area. Most compression garments manufactured today are made from latex or allergy-free materials such as nylon or elastic. These garments come in various styles, including socks, sleeves, and full bodysuits, each tailored to specific medical or performance needs.
Medical Applications of Compression Garments
Physicians often prescribe compression socks for diabetic patients, those with poor circulation in the legs, or individuals at risk of developing deep vein thrombosis. They are also used on patients who have undergone varicose vein treatments. Sleeves and bodysuits are more common for patients who have undergone plastic surgery or medical procedures like liposuction. In the realm of plastic surgery, compression garments like binders, bras, masks, socks, and other clothing may be required following procedures like liposuction, body contouring, and breast reduction, among others.
Post-Surgery Recovery
Plastic surgery recovery can be a challenging time for patients. Compression garments play a crucial role in post-surgical care. Improving blood flow to a surgical site can speed the healing process and enhance tissue regeneration. Depending on the surgery, these garments can also help reduce the risk of post-surgery complications like blood clots and deep vein thrombosis.
Dr. notes that stage 1 garments are typically worn immediately after surgery and are firmer to provide support during the initial recovery phase. Dr. Kim adds that stage 1 garments are usually worn one to two weeks after surgery 24/7, providing more compression to reduce post-surgery swelling. Stage 2 garments are typically worn two to six weeks after surgery.
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Usage and Care
While these tiny, stretchy pieces of clothing can work wonders, they can only do their job when you wear them. Wearing a compression garment shouldn't be uncomfortable or feel restrictive. "They should be compressive but not too tight," said Dr.
Be gentle when putting on your compression garment. Remove jewelry like rings before putting it on to avoid snagging or ripping the material. Post-surgery, these garments can collect sweat and body oils. Hand washing is best, but that may not be an option without help or support after surgery. If you must use a machine, use cold water and keep it on a gentle cycle. You can also use a delicates or garment bag to keep your compression garment safe in the wash. Never machine dry compression garments, which can ruin the elastic and reduce the garment's compression level. When not in use, store in a cool, dry place.
The length of time varies depending on the type of surgery and the preferences of the surgeon, but usually, at a bare minimum, it's recommended to wear the garments around the clock for a minimum of six weeks, followed by part-time wear if needed for several months," said Dr.
The Debate on Necessity
Can you get away with not wearing your compression garment after a plastic surgery procedure? Probably. Though many surgeons and patients recommend them, there are studies that indicate they may not be necessary. "I think in theory, without any compression garments, you will eventually heal up," said Dr. Kim. "However, you will have a lot more swelling and more discomfort and will need a lot more lymphatic massage sessions to heal correctly with the body contour that you want.
Athletic Applications of Compression Garments
Enhancing Performance and Recovery
Compression therapy has become a staple in the athletic community, offering a range of benefits that enhance performance and accelerate recovery. As more athletes and active individuals seek effective recovery methods, compression therapy stands out as a versatile and scientifically supported option. These compression garments for athletes come in various forms, including socks, sleeves, and tights, each tailored to target specific muscle groups.
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One of the most significant benefits of compression therapy is its ability to improve blood circulation. Compression garments apply graduated pressure, which means the pressure is highest at the extremities and gradually decreases towards the core of the body. Improved blood flow not only enhances oxygen delivery but also aids in the removal of metabolic waste products such as lactic acid. This efficient exchange process reduces muscle fatigue and supports sustained performance during prolonged physical activities.
Reducing Muscle Soreness and Fatigue
Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) is a common issue for athletes after intense training sessions or competitions. Compression therapy plays a crucial role in minimizing muscle soreness and fatigue. Research indicates that athletes who incorporate compression therapy into their recovery routines report reduced levels of muscle soreness and experience faster recovery times compared to those who do not use compression garments.
Controlling Swelling and Inflammation
Intense physical activities often lead to swelling and inflammation in the muscles and joints. Compression therapy helps in controlling this swelling by applying consistent pressure, which reduces the accumulation of fluid in the tissues. By minimizing exercise-induced swelling, compression garments contribute to better joint stability and overall muscle function. This reduced inflammation is particularly beneficial for athletes recovering from minor injuries, as it supports the healing process and prevents the exacerbation of existing conditions.
Providing Muscle Support and Stability
During high-intensity activities, muscles are subjected to significant stress and strain. Compression garments provide essential support and stability to these muscles, reducing the risk of strains and tears. Enhanced muscle support not only protects against acute injuries but also contributes to better overall muscle function. Athletes who use compression therapy often report improved muscle efficiency and a greater sense of stability, allowing them to perform at higher levels with increased confidence.
Psychological and Proprioceptive Benefits
Beyond recovery and injury prevention, compression therapy has a direct impact on athletic performance. One reason for this enhancement is the psychological benefit of wearing compression gear. Athletes often feel more prepared and supported, which can boost confidence and mental focus. Additionally, compression garments increase proprioception-the body's ability to sense its position and movement in space.
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Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
This study investigated the effects of compression garments on mitigating the decline in muscle strength and power resulting from exercise-induced muscle fatigue. Searches were performed in PubMed, Web of Science, EBSCO, Cochrane, and Scopus databases. The three-level restricted maximum likelihood random effects model was used to synthesize the data. Twenty-seven studies met the inclusion criteria. Compression garments had significant restorative effects on muscle strength (Hedges’s g = −0.21, p < 0.01) and power (Hedges’s g = −0.23, p < 0.01) after exercise-induced muscle fatigue.
Subgroup analysis revealed that compression garments were effective in mitigating the decline in muscle strength when the rest intervals were 1-48 h and over 72 h and in mitigating the decline in power when the resting interval was 1-24 h. In addition, compression garments significantly mitigated the decline in muscle strength, during rest intervals of 1-24 h for trained individuals and over 72 h for both trained and untrained individuals, after exercise-induced muscle fatigue. In conclusion, compression garments significantly mitigated the decline in muscle strength after exercise-induced muscle fatigue.
How Compression Garments Work
Several potential mechanisms may explain how compression garments can mitigate exercise-induced muscle fatigue. First, compression garments enhance muscle pump function, thereby improving venous return and blood circulation within the muscles. This, in turn, facilitates more efficient oxygen utilization by the muscles. Additionally, compression garments have been shown to reduce muscle swelling, alleviate soreness, and attenuate the inflammatory response following exercise.
Integrating Compression Therapy into Your Routine
Integrating compression therapy into your athletic routine is straightforward and can yield significant benefits. Choosing the appropriate compression garment is essential for maximizing the benefits of compression therapy. Factors to consider include the type of activity, the specific muscle groups you want to support, and the level of compression required. Compression garments come in various compression levels, typically measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg).
When selecting compression wear, ensure that the garments fit snugly without being too tight. Proper fit is crucial for effective compression and comfort during use. Timing is key to reaping the full benefits of compression therapy. Athletes can wear compression garments both during and after physical activities. Wearing compression gear during exercise helps support muscles, improve blood flow, and reduce fatigue. The duration for wearing compression garments varies depending on the activity and individual needs. Generally, wearing compression gear for a few hours after intense exercise or overnight can enhance recovery.
Guidelines for Use
For athletic purposes, a moderate compression level of 15-20 mmHg is typically recommended. This level provides adequate support and circulation enhancement without being overly restrictive. When used correctly, compression garments are generally safe for most athletes. However, it's important to ensure that the garments fit properly to avoid excessive pressure, which can impede circulation.
Selecting the right compression garment depends on the specific demands of your sport and the muscle groups you need to support. For example, runners may prefer compression socks or calf sleeves, while basketball players might opt for full-leg compression tights.
Compression Garments: What do they actually do, and can they boost performance?
Added to the list of massage guns and GPS devices, one of the most commonly seen bits of sports technology across social media, where so much advertising is done these days, are compression garments. They are supposed to aid with recovery through squeezing the muscles in a way to rid them of their evils - or something like that. They mainly come in the form of socks, shorts and short- and long-sleeve tops and are worn under your normal gear, or sometimes standalone.
When we exercise, especially when we do something we haven’t done before or we ramp up the challenge, we get sore. This soreness is a sign that our body has done something difficult, and it has to repair in a way that makes it able to cope with it should it experience it again. This principle of overload, when sustained during an exercise program, is what enables us to get fitter, stronger, bigger etc. Depending on your goals, this can be frustrating and not aligned to what is required of you. For most of us, this isn’t a huge issue, as we can take a little extra time between sessions. If you’re a professional though, and you have a soccer match on a Sunday and another on a Tuesday, or a tennis Grand Slam match that occurs over two days, you may not appreciate that soreness much at all! As such, methods to relieve this soreness including massage, foam rolling, ice baths and compression garments have crept into use.
The theory behind the use of compression garments is that they have two main periods of use - during and, more commonly, after exercise. During exercise, it is thought they aid improved blood flow, therefore providing working muscles with more oxygen. The theory here is that as the blood returning from the lower body is having to work against gravity, squeezing the veins increases that pressure, a bit like how squeezing a hosepipe increases the water pressure - it aids the system in becoming more efficient. This would reduce the perceived difficulty of exercise at a given intensity, which we would all appreciate. It is also thought that the factor of wearing tighter-fitting clothing aids our proprioception, or our ability to know where our body is in space.
Following exercise, as we’ve alluded to, compression garments aim to minimise delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). This is the specific muscle ache we have the day after a hard session. It is thought this is achieved through some of the same mechanisms as having a massage. It is thought they also increase the temperature of the muscle they are around.
Starting off with the claims for use during exercise, it doesn’t seem like we are off to a great start. From the limited evidence out there, typically looking at runners, it doesn’t seem there’s much linking compression garments and improved running performance directly. This is likely because our bodies are already pretty good at what they do. When we exercise, the muscles, as well as propelling us around, are squeezing the blood back to our hearts. It was also hoped that by stopping our muscles from shaking too much when we hit the ground during running, this too may limit the micro-trauma to the muscle, which is associated with soreness. Sadly, it doesn’t seem like there’s too much to this one either. Also, though some studies have found that wearing tighter garments during exercise does indeed improve our proprioception, this hasn’t translated to better performance.
Thankfully, here we’re on slightly more solid ground. It does seem there is a link between the wearing of compression garments and reduced muscle soreness and fatigue. This likely is based on more solid foundations as its history lies in the medical rather than sporting realm. Compression has been used for years to reduce swelling after an operation by pushing pooled fluids and blood away from the specific area. This isn’t enough to improve performance during running, as we’ve said, but can be useful during recovery. Often such research points to weight training though, where there is obviously a huge muscular load. The evidence for improved recovery - measured by an ability to reproduce a performance during a 24-hr recovery phase in cycling and running - is limited.
Compression garments are attempting to rid the system of the chemicals that make us feel sore and stiff. As we said at the start of this blog though, those chemicals are involved in the process of helping us to adapt. This is obviously less of an issue if we’re between matches at Wimbledon or we’ve got the Olympic 100m final tomorrow, but what if we’re trying to train for a four-hour marathon? And this isn’t just the case of elite athletes versus us normals. Consider warm weather training camps that endurance athletes might do, or soccer or rugby players’ pre-seasons - they are very much aiming to adapt. So, this is quite an important consideration for your use of compression garments in sport. But not only that - this logic also applies to ice baths, foam rolling and massage. Sometimes there may be a balancing act between recovery and allowing adaptation but be mindful of your broader goals before you slap on every bell and whistle in pursuit of being 100% for the next session.
Scientists do suggest we’re looking for a Goldilocks effect here - it must be tight enough to increase blood flow but not too tight as to stop it.
Compression Therapy: What is it?
Compression therapy is a common treatment to help improve blood flow in your lower legs. It usually involves the use of elastic stockings or wraps. The elastic provides compression on your legs, ankles and feet. This helps prevent blood from pooling and fluid from building up in these areas.
The types of compression therapy devices include: Compression stockings, bandages and wraps, inflatable devices.
Manufacturers rate compression socks based on how much pressure they provide. The amount of compression you need depends on your condition. The units for measuring compression are mmHg, or millimeters of mercury. There is no standard scale for rating compression stockings. In general, the categories of pressure are: Low (less than 20 mmHg). Medium (20 to 30 mmHg). High (greater than 30 mmHg).
Stockings that provide low compression are available over the counter. They may be a good choice if you stand or sit for long periods of time or are pregnant. Consult your healthcare provider before purchasing over-the-counter compression stockings. Stockings rated 20 mmHg or higher require a prescription.
When should compression therapy be used?
Healthcare providers recommend compression therapy for conditions caused by poor blood circulation. These include:
Chronic venous insufficiency
This is a common condition that affects veins in the legs. It occurs when the walls of veins are weak and the valves inside the veins do not work as they should. Blood flow from the legs to the heart becomes impaired. As a result, blood builds up in the legs. Compression therapy can reduce chronic venous insufficiency by squeezing your leg muscles. This helps push blood against gravity back to the heart.
Varicose veins
These veins are caused by chronic venous insufficiency. Varicose veins look like raised, winding ropes under your skin. Compression therapy can help relieve swelling and pain associated with varicose veins.
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
This is a blood clot that develops in a deep vein in the body, often in a leg. Because the clot blocks blood flow, blood and swelling can build up behind it. Healthcare providers may recommend compression therapy for people at risk of deep vein thrombosis. If you already have deep vein thrombosis and take blood thinners (anticoagulants), then it’s reasonable to consider compression therapy. However, speak with your healthcare provider before first before starting compression therapy and see if it is right for you.
Swelling (edema) of the feet, ankles or legs
Swelling occurs when fluid becomes trapped in your tissues. Fluid has a tendency to pool in your legs because of gravity but our body is able to prevent pooling in many different ways. However, there are conditions where pooling still occurs. Compression therapy helps by using pressure to move fluid and prevent it from accumulating.
Leg ulcers and wounds
Ulcers are open sores. They can occur anywhere on your body but often affect the legs, ankles and feet. People with diabetes, varicose veins and poor circulation are at higher risk of developing ulcers on the lower legs and feet. Compression therapy can enhance recovery from leg ulcers and wounds.
Orthostatic hypotension
This is a rapid drop in blood pressure that occurs when you stand up. Low blood pressure can make you feel dizzy or lightheaded. Orthostatic hypotension is due to poor blood return to your heart from your legs when you stand. Compression therapy can help treat this condition by squeezing blood from your legs back up to your heart.
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